Two California teenagers sustained injuries from fireworks on Independence Day, with one reportedly losing multiple fingers in the incident.
On Independence Day, two teenagers in Berkeley, California, became victims of severe injuries resulting from fireworks. According to local media reports, one of the teenagers reportedly lost several fingers in the mishap. The incident occurred on Thursday night in Berkeley, where neighbors reported that one teenager might have suffered the loss of up to four fingers due to the explosion.
The Berkeley Police Department confirmed that two teenage boys were injured during the explosion, with one sustaining a "significant" injury. The other teenager sustained minor injuries due to proximity to the firework when it exploded but was not taken to the hospital.
Hazardous Fireworks Injure Two California Teenagers on Independence Day
The identities of the teenagers remain undisclosed; however, KRON4 reported that the teenager transported to the hospital is a high school football player entering his senior season at Berkeley High School and pursuing a college scholarship.
Following the incident, emergency responders, including the Berkeley Fire Department, police, and an ambulance, arrived promptly at the scene. The police emphasized in a statement that this "is a reminder that fireworks are both dangerous and illegal and can be life-threatening." The statement extended well wishes for a full recovery for both the injured individuals and those impacted by the accident.
Hazardous Fireworks Injure Two California Teenagers on Independence Day
According to neighbors' accounts provided to KTVU and KNTV, a group of approximately 30 teenagers congregated at the location of the incident about an hour prior, at which point some began igniting fireworks.
Surveillance footage obtained by KTVU depicts teenagers playing football in the street as pyrotechnics detonated overhead. At around 9:50 p.m., an explosion occurred. A firework exploded in one teenager's hand, eliciting screams from the onlookers.
Hazardous Fireworks Injure Two California Teenagers on Independence Day
Witnesses reported that one teenager might have lost as many as four fingers in the blast. Police stated that the teenager who appeared to be in extreme pain exclaimed, "Call 911!" The other teenagers ceased playing football, and some rushed to assist the injured teenager.
One neighbor recounted to KNTV that the firework initially failed to ignite after being lit, prompting the injured teenager to retrieve it just before it exploded in his hand, despite a friend's warning to dispose of it.
The aftermath of the explosion left visible blood spatter on the street corner and fence, as reported by KTVU. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential hazards associated with fireworks and the grave consequences that can arise from their misuse.
